초록 ▼

A sprocketed idler for a machine comprises a plurality of teeth radially disposed about an idler having a substantially circular cross section. Each of the plurality of teeth includes at least one tooth flank having a substantially uniform slope, wherein a distance between adjacent peaks of the plur

A sprocketed idler for a machine comprises a plurality of teeth radially disposed about an idler having a substantially circular cross section. Each of the plurality of teeth includes at least one tooth flank having a substantially uniform slope, wherein a distance between adjacent peaks of the plurality of teeth is between 30% and 90% of the distance between central axes of adjacent pin members of a track link that is engageable by the idler.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A sprocketed idler for a machine, comprising: a plurality of teeth radially disposed about an idler having a substantially circular cross section, each of the plurality of teeth including at least one tooth flank, wherein a distance between adjacent peaks of the plurality of

What is claimed is: 1. A sprocketed idler for a machine, comprising: a plurality of teeth radially disposed about an idler having a substantially circular cross section, each of the plurality of teeth including at least one tooth flank, wherein a distance between adjacent peaks of the plurality of teeth is between 30% and 90% of the distance between central axes of adjacent pin members of a track link that is engageable by the idler, the distance between adjacent peaks of the plurality of teeth being defined such that, when the track link is centered on a center of a first tooth, bushings associated with the track link contact the idler at a sloped surface of each tooth flank located on either side of the first tooth. 2. The idler of claim 1, wherein the distance between adjacent peaks of the plurality of teeth is between 60% and 70% of the distance between the central axes of adjacent pin members of the track link. 3. The idler of claim 1, wherein the distance between adjacent peaks of the plurality of teeth is approximately ⅔ of the distance between the central axes of adjacent pin members of the track link. 4. The idler of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of teeth includes a substantially triangular cross-section. 5. A track assembly for a machine, comprising: a plurality of link members; a plurality of pin members, each pin member configured to couple adjacent link members together to form a track chain and each comprising a bushing disposed about a cylindrical surface thereof; and at least one idler comprising a plurality of teeth disposed about a surface of the at least one idler, the at least one idler configured to engage a portion of the bushing and substantially limit contact between the at least one idler and a surface of the plurality of link members; wherein one or more of the plurality of teeth includes a tooth flank, and a distance between adjacent peaks of the plurality of teeth is between 30% and 90% of the distance between central axes of adjacent pin members of a track link that is engageable by the idler, the distance between adjacent peaks of the plurality of teeth being defined such that, when the track link is centered on a center of a first tooth, bushings associated with the track link contact the idler at a sloped surface of each tooth flank located on either side of the first tooth. 6. The track assembly of claim 5, wherein a pitch of the idler is less than a pitch of each of the plurality of link members. 7. The track assembly of claim 5, wherein a pitch of the idler is approximately ⅔ of a pitch of each of the plurality of link members. 8. The track assembly of claim 5, further including a drive assembly comprising: a motor for generating a torque output; and a drive sprocket, operatively coupled to the motor and configured to engage a portion of the bushing and rotate in response to the torque output generated by the motor. 9. The track assembly of claim 8, further including a roller frame having a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the at least one idler includes a first idler and a second idler, the first idler rotatably mounted on the first end portion of the roller frame and a second idler rotatably mounted on the second end portion of the roller frame. 10. The track assembly of claim 5, wherein the one or more of the plurality of teeth includes a substantially triangular cross-section. 11. A machine, comprising: a driving mechanism for generating a torque output; a drive sprocket, operatively coupled to the driving mechanism and configured to rotate in response to the torque output generated by the driving mechanism; a track assembly for the machine, comprising: a plurality of link members; a plurality of pin members, each pin member configured to couple adjacent link members together to form a track chain and each comprising a bushing disposed about a cylindrical surface thereof; and at least one idler including a plurality of teeth disposed about a surface of the at least one idler, the at least one idler configured to engage a portion of the bushing and substantially limit contact between the at least one idler and a surface of the plurality of link members; wherein one or more of the plurality of teeth includes a tooth flank and a distance between adjacent peaks of the plurality of teeth is between 30% and 90% of the distance between central axes of adjacent pin members of a track link that is engageable by the idler, the distance between adjacent peaks of the plurality of teeth being defined such that, when the track link is centered on a center of a first tooth, bushings associated with the track link contact the idler at a sloped surface of each tooth flank located on either side of the first tooth. 12. The machine of claim 11, wherein a pitch of the idler is less than a pitch of each of the plurality of link members. 13. The machine of claim 11, wherein a pitch of the idler is approximately ⅔ of a pitch of each of the plurality of link members. 14. The machine of claim 11, wherein the driving mechanism includes at least one of electric motor and an internal combustion engine. 15. The machine of claim 14, further including a roller frame having a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the at least one idler includes a first idler and a second idler, the first idler rotatably mounted on the first end portion of the roller frame and a second idler rotatably mounted on the second end portion of the roller frame. 16. The machine of claim 11, wherein the one or more of the plurality of teeth is substantially triangular in shape. 17. The idler of claim 1, wherein the at least one tooth flank has a substantially constant slope along the length of the at least one tooth flank. 18. The track assembly of claim 5, wherein the tooth flank has a substantially constant slope along the length of the tooth flank. 19. The machine of claim 11, wherein the tooth flank has a substantially constant slope along the length of the tooth flank.